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About the job
Job summary
This is a genuinely exciting time to join the Ministry of Defence if you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues. You will get to work on a high profile and distinctive portfolio which is rarely out of the news and have an outstanding insight into the captivating world of nuclear.
The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) was established in April 2016, as part of recommendations set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. We are responsible for all submarines (from procurement to disposal), Nuclear warheads, skills, related infrastructure and day-to-day Nuclear policy.
Our task is to sustain and renew the nuclear deterrent so that it remains credible, effective and protects the people of the UK, now and in the future. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this has become more relevant than ever.
Within DNO, the Warhead Directorate leads the UK nuclear warhead programme which provides a stockpile of reliable, safe and effective nuclear warheads to support the UKs strategic nuclear deterrent now and in the future.
The Warhead Directorate has staff based in MOD Main Building, MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol), Aldermaston (Reading) and HM Naval Base Clyde (Scotland). This post can be based at MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol) or Aldermaston, Reading.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The mission of the DNO is to keep safe and capable submarines at sea today and in the future. We need a capable and credible nuclear deterrent to successfully deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life.
This post sits within the WSM division of DNO Warhead Delivery Team. Deputy Director WSM has responsibility for maintaining safe, effective, and available in-service nuclear warheads now and in the future.
The successful applicant will be part of the Warhead Stockpile Management (WSM) Programme Office, and be responsible for maintaining the Programme schedule, overseeing the Project managers schedules, and reporting to the Stockpile Programme Support Board (PSB) and Programme Management Office (PMO) of Portfolio, Programme and Project (P3M) data in support of WSM Programme Manager AH (Assistant Head).
The Lead Scheduler will be the authority for the Programme Schedule, ensuring the baseline and holding overarching responsibility for the input of project schedules by Project Managers.
They are accountable for the integration of projects in the wider programme and liaising with the Portfolio Office to ensure WSM achieves its outcomes.
The Lead Scheduler will be responsible for monitoring resource requirements and carrying out the appropriate activities to ensure resources are available through schedule management. This includes integrating requirements and dependencies into the schedule alongside the Risk Manager and Controllers.
They will support the governance, providing reports to senior leadership ensuring that an evidence-based approach is used enabling confident decisions.
Person specification
Responsibilities
Delivery & Leadership
- Lead on planning activities and work with projects to support delivery of their business case benefits and outcomes.
- Develop clear standards, support capability building and champion the use of best practice project planning standards, tools and processes.
- Provide expert advice to team members and WSMs project community.
- Build strong networks both internally and externally, inclusive of the Portfolio Office and AWE as key stakeholders.
Project Planning
- Using Microsoft Project and Primavera (P6) to apply advanced knowledge in the discipline of planning for the analysis and successful resolution of risks and issues and identification of opportunities.
- Challenge and test project assumptions to ensure that plans are realistic and achievable.
- Support project managers to identify options to optimise delivery through resource smoothing, resource levelling and rescheduling of activities.
Resources
- Utilise the project and programme plans to assist in the identification of future capacity and capability needs of the project planning function, informing the Programme Office
- Manage the planning team identifying areas of improvement and deploying planning resources when required.
- Assist with the identification of wider resources for the projects, and support planning for these.
Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain external networks to access technical and professional best practice.
- Ensure that stakeholder responsibilities and needs are understood and addressed in reporting arrangements.
- Accountable for the integration of projects in the wider programme, and liaising with the Portfolio Office to ensure WSM achieves its outcomes.
Project Performance & Controls
- Monitor and analyse information, reporting progress, slippage and highlighting areas of risk and opportunity.
- Analyse performance data, looking at trends to identify areas for improvement and collaboration, and selecting appropriate methods and tools to resolve them.
Guidance & Support
- Provide specialist advice and support advice on planning processes throughout the project lifecycles to ensure successful delivery.
- Provide guidance and advice to Project Managers during project initiation on selection of planning approach, tools, processes and proportionality.
- Identify and lead the introduction of best practice planning processes, tools and templates, using industry standard best practice as a benchmark.
- Build planning capability.
Qualifications
- A formal project qualification: MSP Practitioner, MoR Practitioner, APM PMQ or equivalent.
- Membership of APM or equivalent
Skills
- Experience in the creation and maintenance of an integrated schedule
- Experience of planning large and complex projects
- Has been the subject matter expert for scheduling using industry standard planning approaches, tools, and processes
Desirable Qualifications
- P6 Practitioner
Desirable Skills
- Awareness Level knowledge of MOD Policy, Procedures and Process
- Understanding of Budget and Cost Management
- Awareness of Defence nuclear programme with knowledge of policies and procedures across all life cycle phases or related experience
Qualifications
Memberships
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Scheduling
- Resource Management
Benefits
Being part of our Civil Service community means you will have access to a range of benefits including:
- Learning and development tailored to your role and broader skill development, enabling you to build a long-term career in your chosen area.
- The civil service champions a variety of flexible working options to suit your needs
- 25 days annual leave, raising to 30 days following 5 years service (+ 8 days bank and public holidays), with family friendly benefits including improved maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- A culture which encourages inclusion and diversity within its teams
- Some of our sites have on-site gyms, restaurants, cafes, nurseries and more
- An employee discount scheme for all your in-store and on-line shopping needs
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
This post does not offer any assistance with relocation allowances.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Please note: Interview travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment by 31st December 2022. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for the Behaviours and Experience sections in the appropriate competency style.
Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview
The requirements for the role have been benchmarked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.
You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour, and technical requirement, (competency style) and around 750 words for a Personal Statement, where you have the opportunity to show how you meet the requirements of the role.
Candidates are advised that due to the sensitivity of the role we can only accept UK Nationals and you will also be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance, above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD.
Nationality Requirements – Further Information for Candidates
- This post is classed as Reserved as per Civil Service Nationality Rules Section 3. In accordance with these rules, only UK nationals may be employed in reserved posts in the Civil Service[1] (Paragraph. 3.1).
UK National Definition
2. The definition of a UK National can be found at Paragraphs. 1.4-1.8 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Dual Nationals
3. As per Paragraph. 1.41 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:
a) Candidates with dual nationality are in principle eligible for employment in the Civil Service provided that they meet the requirements in relation to one of their nationalities [i.e. UK National]. They may not be eligible, however, for employment in certain reserved posts where additional nationality requirements are imposed.
Additional Restrictions for Reserved Posts
4. As per Paragraphs. 3.10-3.11 of the Civil Service Nationality Rules:
a) departments and agencies are entitled to impose additional requirements in reserved posts if this is considered necessary. This could include, for example, requirements as to the residency of the applicant or the nationality of one or both parents of the applicant.
5, If you are a Dual National who possesses UK Nationality and wish to check your eligibility for the post, please contact our recruiting team at the details below. Please be advised that we will not be able to provide a justification for our decision for security reasons.
DNO External Recruitment DNO-ExternalRecruiting@mod.gov.uk
[1] Irish nationals and Commonwealth citizens are also eligible for employment in reserved posts if they were in the Civil Service at 31 May 1996 or before, or were appointed from a recruitment scheme with a closing date for receipt of applications before 1 June 1996. (Paragraph. 3.1)
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : DNO External Recruitment
- Email : DNO-Externalrecruiting@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
